What would you say is the best use for BeOS?

eg. Unix carved out a rep as Web & DNS server, Netware as file & print server, Windows XP as an entertainment client, and Mac in the graphics design business....etc. Does it have a forte, which you would say "for THIS, definitely use BeOS."

I have an interest in researching "best of breed" technologies, and am just genuinely curious about BeOS.

BeOS was designed to move away from the old limits of DOS. BeOS when it was made was wonderful for high bandwidth uses such as video and audio and even SMP processing. We now have newer OS's that have improved the way all those can be used as well as vastly improved hardware.

BeOS right now is a good choice for older machines really. Those old machines can still be useable with BeOS where one might be upset with the ability to run linux or windows.

If all the work that went into linux was put into BeOS we'd really have a match for XP.

Thanks.

Are there functions which the modern PC user takes for granted which cannot be done well on BeOS?

"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." - BILL CLINTON

Not really functions rather lack of support for all devices. You'd find that a normal user can run beos as their everyday OS if they have supported hardware. There are also ways to run other OS's after you boot to BeOS if needed. You can try beos under other OS's with emulation also.

I ask to be sorry me for my English, I am no American...But for that time that I "played" with BeOS I understood that it is good enough, as on a dead project which already pair of years as neglected by official developers. But not looking on all efforts of strange programmers it is very far to the ideal... and it is shown a few of drivers, and yet less of the normal programs which are vitally needed for simple existence. Now you will remember simplicity and comfort of organization of network...Yes the BeOS existence in a local network is practically impossible... Yes what there to explain... yes it is good, but it is failing great deal, and in the very first turn simplicity of tuning. Request not to beat me by feet for comparison :) But you should compare tuning of Windows 95 or Windows 98 and BeOS and all should become clear...

FECI QUOD POTUI, FACIANT MELIORA POTENTES.
"Я сделал все что мог, кто может пусть сделает лучше"
"I did everything that could, who can lets will do bette